Help to Pray and Read God’s Word
Simple Steps to Read God’s Word and Pray
Winter Retreat may be over, but your time with God is just beginning. Now, you want to read God’s Word and pray more, but you don’t naturally do it. First off, you’re normal; Christians want to “be better” at many things, but God’s growing us in His timing. Yet, it’s awesome that you want to know God and walk closer with Him. That desire shows God’s Work in you.
Here are a few steps to keep reading the Bible and praying in a way that strengthens your faith.
1. Keep It Simple: Read Small but Consistently
📖 Reading is not the goal; connecting with God and trusting His Word is.
📖 Start with short passages—just 1-5 paragraphs a day. 📖 Great places to start: John, Mark, Ephesians. 📝 Write down one insight into God each time.
2. Pray Honestly & Regularly
🙏 Praying isn’t the goal; connecting with God and sharing your heart is.
🙏 You don’t have to shut your eyes—just believe God is right there with you. 🙏 Try a few different ways to pray. Examples: Pray one sentence and end it. Pray whatever is on your mind. Pray about what you just read (ex: Ephesians 2:8—“God, thank You that I am accepted because of Your grace, not what I do.”). 🙏 Or follow this simple pattern: Praise > Confess > Ask > Give thanks.
3. When You Feel Like You’re Failing, Remember God’s Grace
✅ Our shared identity is found in God’s love, our union with Jesus, and our destiny with Him. Don’t pray to impress Him. Pray because you trust Him, want to share life with Him, and need His help.
✅ We please God foremost when we trust Him. Even when we sin, we please Him by trusting Him for forgiveness. Joy in Christ leads to transformation.
4. Encourage Each Other
📲 Text a verse to the group when one stands out to you. 🤝 Encourage each other to trust God’s love, promises, and active involvement.
5. Take God at His Word, Not Your Feelings
💡 When you don’t feel close to God: 2 Corinthians 5:7—“We walk by faith, not by sight.” Trust Him when He tells you He is with you. Trusting He is with you leads to feeling He is with you.💡 When you feel pressure to perform: Galatians 2:20—“I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave His life for me.”💡 When you doubt your worth: Ephesians 2:4-10—God’s grace makes you His, not your works. God chose you. Christ died for you. 🔥 You are already loved, accepted, and secure in Christ! Live in that, not for it.
Keep going! Stay in God’s Word, pray, and encourage each other! And give yourself a break when you don’t.